Econo Lodge Waupaca

For $100 a night, this was a complete rip-off. There was grime and mildew in the corners of every room, and cleaning didn't seem to be a priority. Within 15 minutes of arriving, we found a cockroach in our room. The front desk said they knew about the problem, which makes me think it's been going on for a while. Within another hour, the bathroom towel rack fell off, and it was impossible to get the shower temperature regulated.

As of 7/21/25, they have a serious roach problem. I was sharing a room with a friend, and we woke up to a dead roach lying right between us. We must have squished it in our sleep. I checked under the refrigerator and found them everywhere. I went straight down and demanded a refund because my baby had been sleeping in that room, and we had to throw away a bunch of things. They refunded me immediately without asking questions, even though I offered to show proof. They clearly know about the roaches and are still renting these rooms out.

My boyfriend and I have returned several times because the staff are so great and go out of their way for guests. The rooms are always immaculately clean, too. I'd absolutely recommend staying here, 10/10.

The only real thing I'd nitpick is the small, crowded parking lot, which has a lot of huge potholes. Otherwise, I'd stay again for sure if I'm in the area. Check-in was smooth, the AC worked great, the bed was nice, and the shower was fine. I didn't use the room furniture, but it was trash. Breakfast was small, just cereal, bagels, and juice, about what you'd expect. The pool was nothing special, but not bad for a cheap hotel, and I had it to myself. I could get to it right from my room through the back patio door. I don't get the bad reviews. Sure, this isn't a five-star hotel, but for the price I thought it exceeded the quality, and it far surpassed my expectations. I usually look for inexpensive places that don't look awful, and I was a bit nervous after seeing some of the reviews, but I'm glad I gave it a shot.